Measuring device for ironing board



3, 1966 B. M. RACHLIN 3,267,578

MEASURING DEVICE FOR IRONING BOARD Filed Sept. 18, 1963 Llllll'TTllllllillllllllll INVENTOR.

BERTHA M. RACHLIN BYJQMW WM ATTORNEY United States atent 3,267,578 MEASURING DEVICE FDR IRONING BOARD Bertha M. Rachlin, 4817 Sheyboygan Ave., Apt. 411, Madison, Wis. Filed Sept. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 309,780 6 Claims. (Cl. 3376) My invention relates to an improved measuring device.

Because of the lower cost of modern sewing machines, the greater simplicity of contemporary patterns and the availability of an almost endless variety of natural and synthetics fabrics, more and more persons are sewing and working with fabrics in their homes. The cutting, sewing, finishing and pressing involved in such work demand accurate measurement. Unfortunately, accuracy is difiicult to achieve by the use of known methods.

To locate the place to cut, sew or press a fabric, persons in the past have generally used a measuring tape and pins. The person spreads out the fabric on a surface, tightly stretches the measuring tape over the fabric to make the measurement and inserts pins in the fabric to mark the distance measured. This is a hand-filling task. The person must with one hand hold one end of the tape tightly against the fabric at the beginning point, and with the other hand she must extend and hold the tape, and at the same time insert pins in the fabric at the desired positions. The fabric or the tape is likely to slip, preventing accurate placement of the pins. The possibility of error increases when some synthetic fabrics are used. Many such fabrics generally do not drape or remain in position as well as cotton and Wool, and many of them are made of slippery materials.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a measuring device for use with fabrics which eliminates these difiiculties.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device which may be used to quickly and accurately measure a fabric for cutting, sewing or pressing.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device which may be easily and economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the principles of the invention has been selected for exemplification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of my novel measuring device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of my invention.

Essentially, my invention comprises an ironing board pad or cover 10 having an ironing surface 11 upon which is impressed indicia designating linear distance. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a strip 12 of such indicia extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover 10 and preferably is approximately centered on the cover 10. The embodiment of FIG. 2 has a first strip 13 of indicia similar to the strip 12 of FIG. 1 and, in addition, a second strip 14 of indicia which extend approximately perpendicularly to the strip 13. The location or the angle of intersection of the strip 14 is not critical. It may cross one end of the strip 13, as shown in FIG. 2, or any other point of the strip 13. It may also be separated from the strip 13.

Preferably, the strips 12, 13 and 14 of indicia are printed with an indelible ink or other color-contrasting material directly upon or integral with the ironing surface 11 of the cover 10. Another method of placing the strips on the surface 11 consists of securely attaching tape measures to it. Any means of permanently impressing the indicia on the cover 10 is acceptable.

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The strips 12, 13 and 14 may be of any desired length. Generally the size of the cover 10 determines the length of the strips.

The advantages of my invention are numerous. For one, measurement made with it are more accurate than those made with a separate tape measure. The difficult chore of spreading a loose fabric and stretching a tape across its taut surface in an attempt to make an accurate measurement is eliminated. My invention also solves the problem of tape slippage. The ironing board provides a firm foundation for my ironing board cover 10. After a brief period of use, the cover 10 tends to closely adhere to the ironing board. The cover 10 does not slip. All clumsy manipulation of a loose tape is eliminated by my invention. Furthermore, the ironing board cover 10, made of substantial material, and the indicia on it, do not stretch as a tape does with usage. Hence, my measuring indicia remains more accurate. There is also no problem of breakage or tearing with my invention, as there is with a tape.

Another advantage of my invention is the simplification it allow in the method of measuring a fabric prior to working the fabric. The hand which was formerly required to hold the tape measure in place is now freed to hold the fabric and insert pins in it to mark the me-aurement made with the indicia 12, 13 and 14. The possibility that the fabric may slip is greatly reduced.

As an example, the use of my invention to quickly press the hem of a garment to proper length may be described. When the embodiment of FIG. 1 is used, the hem is first measured by laying the garment along the strip 12 of indicia. With the embodiment of FIG. 2, the more convenient of the two strips 13 and 14 is used for the measurement. Once the correct hem is found, the garment is easily ironed where it lies on the cover 10. Since it is not necessary to move the garment after the hem is measured, there is little possibility of error in pressing the hem.

Many other exemplary uses of my invention can be listed. Sweaters may be measured on the cover 10 and then blocked with a steam iron.

Sometimes overlapping folds must be made in patterns made of tissue paper to adjust the patterns to size. My invention allows the fold to be directly pressed into the pattern. The pins required to mark a measurement made with a tape measure-pins which might tear the pattern-are eliminated.

Cutting a fabric on a bias is accurately accomplished with my invention. In a preferred method, one corner of the fabric is conveniently anchored to the cover 10 with a pin. The line to be cut is then measured, and the line marked, either with pins or a series of short presses. Finally the line is cut. In my experience, the accuracy of this method cannot be matched by a method using a loose measuring tape with scissors.

My invention also aids in ironing and pressing. Handkerchiefs, for example, are often ironed out of square, with a sweeping sag in one side. Using the strips of indicia 12, 13 and 14 as guides aids in ironing handkerchiefs to a true square. The indicia 12, 13 and 14 may be similarly used in working any straight hem.

The strips 12, 13 and 14 have been specifically described as impressed upon an ironing board cover 10. They may, of course, be impressed on any ironing surface.

It is understood that my invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an ironing board cover and measuring means integral with said cover, said measuring means extend substantially perpendiculary to the first indicia. A T

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein the first indicia and 15 ISAAC LEAN?" Exam the second indicia are printed on the ironing board cover. H. N. HAROIAN, Assistant Examiner.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the second indicia LEONARD FORMAN Primary Examiner 3 4 comprising first indicia designating lineal distances, said References Cited by the Examiner first indicia being impressed in the ironing board cover. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2. The invention of claim it wherein said first indicia 64,075 12/1891 Krank X s printed on the ironing board cover. 570 157 10/1896 Edmiston 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first indicia 5 5 10/1997 Weber 33 111 X extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of 1 433 157 12 1922 Eukachet et 1 3 75 the cover- 1,983,815 12/1934 Sehmiett 33-107 X 4. The invention 'of claim 1 wherein the measuring 2,237,948 4/ 1941 Muserlian 33-76 means further comprises second indicia designating lineal l0 2,5Q7,056 5/1950 Smith 3--107 X distance, said second indicia being impressed in the iron- 2,330,317 '9/1958 Rudd 6t 140 ing board cover at an angle to said first indicia. 2,933,397 4/1950 Huber 33-137 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN IRONING BOARD COVER AND MEASURING MEANS INTEGRAL WITH SAID COVER, SAID MEASURING MEANS COMPRISING FIRST INDICIA DESIGNATING LINEAL DISTANCES, SAID FIRST INDICIA BEING IMPRESSED IN THE IRONING BOARD COVER. 